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The paper presents a geomorphological map of the north-eastern coast of the Island of Gozo (Malta) integrating inland and offshore areas at the scale 1:15,000. The map derives from the integration of different methods, such as aerial photo interpretation, field surveys and analysis of seafloor bathymetry. The landforms identified on land were shaped by coastal, fluvial, karst and gravity-induced processes, and some of them prolong on the seafloor. Most of the submerged landforms appear to have been modelled in subaerial conditions during sea-level lowstands, having been sealed by the rising sea in post-glacial times. Two sketches accompany the Main Map showing the type and distribution of coastal geomorphotypes and the land cover of the area.

Within an E.U.-funded project, BESS (Pocket Beach Management and Remote Surveillance System), the notion of a geographic information system is an indispensable tool for managing the dynamics of georeferenced data and information for any form of territorial planning. This notion was further explored with the creation of a WebGIS portal that will allow local and regional stakeholders/authorities obtain an easy remote access tool to monitor the status of pocket beaches (PB) in the Maltese Archipelago and Sicily. In this paper, we provide a methodological approach for the implementation of a WebGIS necessary for very detailed dynamic mapping and visualization of geospatial coastal data, the description of the dataset necessary for the monitoring of coastal areas, especially the PBs, and a demonstration of a case study for the PBs of Sicily and Malta by using the methodology and the dataset used during the BESS project. Detailed steps involved in the creation of the WebGIS are presented. These include data preparation, data storage, and data publication and transformation into geo-services. With the help of different Open Geospatial Consortium protocols, the WebGIS displays different layers of information for 134 PBs including orthophotos, sedimentological/geomorphological beach characteristics, shoreline evolution, geometric and morphological parameters, shallow water bathymetry, and photographs of pocket beaches. The WebGIS allows not only for identifying, evaluating, and directing potential solutions to present and arising issues, but also enables public access and involvement. It reflects a platform for future local and regional coastal zone monitoring and management, by promoting public/private involvement in addressing coastal issues and providing local public administrations with an improved technology to monitor coastal changes and help better plan suitable interventions.

Litter is one of the most pervasive and fastest-growing anthropogenic alterations of the World's coasts and oceans. Along with climate change, litter has been identified as one of humankind's most critical environmental problems that demand urgent solutions. Litter magnitudes and distribution, and the related detrimental environmental effects, have been documented in all existing coastal and marine environments (e.g., beaches, dunes, abyssal plains and submarine canyons, among others). Litter's presence is now so ubiquitous in the environment that it serves as a geological indicator of the Anthropocene. As part of the solution to this out-of-hand problem, Marine Pollution Bulletin has produced this Special Issue entitled "Litter in Coastal and Marine Environments". This collection of 37 papers provides a focal point for such related current studies and, in part, seeks to discuss implementing specific management strategies under different scenarios. No single solution exists to cope with the litter issue. However, legally binding global governance that will effectively limit and control the magnitude of litter pollution is greatly needed. The topical range of this collection of papers includes case studies focussing on litter types (mainly dominated by plastics), sources, impacts and solutions.

Coastal hazards, including marine-related and gravity-induced processes such as landslides, coastal erosion, storm water runoff and coastal flooding, may have different impacts mainly due to local geomorphological characteristics and natural and anthropogenic settings. The sustainable conservation of coastal areas represents a worldwide issue and therefore, coastal vulnerability and risk assessments are of paramount importance for ensuring appropriate coastal management.This study is focused on the assessment of coastal vulnerability along the NE sector of the Island of Gozo (Malta, Mediterranean Sea), which is characterized by diverse landforms, including plunging cliffs, sloping coasts, pocket beaches, shore platforms and a large sandy beach partly backed by dunes. Results of detailed geomorphological investigation, integrated with the analysis of marine geophysical data, show that the study area is particularly susceptible to mass movements, coastal flooding and erosion processes.From the economic point of view, Gozo Island is considered an attractive geotourist destination due to its high environmental, cultural and geological heritage. In particular, the study area hosts Roman remains and two important natural protected areas included in the Natura 2000 network. Moreover, the presence of quarrying areas contributes to increase the economic value of the study area.The evaluation of coastal vulnerability refers to the methodological approach proposed in the framework of the EU-funded RISC-KIT project, partially modified to adapt the method to the context of the study area and to the available information. Specifically, the method is based on the evaluation of the exposed elements in the investigated area by applying a set of indicators related to the local land use, anthropogenic and natural assets, and economic activities. Furthermore, a social vulnerability indicator is applied to evaluate the socio-economic characteristics of the population potentially exposed to coastal hazards. Available data is overlaid and reclassified by means of specific GIS tools in order to obtain the overall vulnerability level of the investigated area, represented on a coastal vulnerability map.Results highlight that 18.3% of the study area is characterized by high to very high vulnerability: including Marsalforn Bay, which hosts an extensive urban centre, and the area nearby Dahlet Qorrot Bay, where a natural protected site is located. Ramla Bay, a very important tourist attraction hosting the largest sandy beach in Gozo, is characterized by very high vulnerability. Most of the investigated area (61.3%), is however characterized by a medium level of vulnerability, while areas characterized by low vulnerability (20.4%) mainly correspond to abandoned agricultural fields and bare rocks outcrops.This research represents a first attempt at the assessment of coastal vulnerability in the Maltese archipelago, and shows that the method used can be easily applied to other Mediterranean coastal areas providing policy makers with comprehensive coastal vulnerability information. The latter is crucial to approaching sustainability, through integrated coastal management.

The coastal landscape of the Maltese Islands is the result of long-term evolution, influenced by tectonics, geomorphological processes, and sea level oscillations. Due to their geological setting, the islands are particularly prone to marine-related and gravity-induced processes, exacerbated by climate change. This study aligns different concepts into a relatively concise and expedient methodology for overall coastal vulnerability assessment, taking the NE sector of Gozo Island as a test case. Geomorphological investigation, integrated with analysis of marine geophysical data, enabled characterisation of coastal dynamics, identifying this stretch of coast as being potentially hazardous. The study area features a high economic value derived from tourist and mining activities and natural protected areas, that altogether not only make coastal vulnerability a major concern but also the task of assessing it complex. Before introducing the methodology proposed for overall vulnerability assessment, an in-depth revision of the &ldquo, vulnerability concept&rdquo, is provided. The evaluation was carried out by using a set of key indicators related to local land use, anthropic and natural assets, economic activities, and social issues. Results show that the most critical areas are located east of Marsalforn including Ramla Bay, an important tourist attraction hosting the largest sandy beach in Gozo. The method combines physical exposure and social vulnerability into an overall index. It proves to be cost effective in data management and processing and is suitable for the identification and assessment of overall vulnerability of coastal areas to consequences of climate- and marine-related processes, such as coastal erosion, landslides and sea level rise.

The growing literature on microplastics (MPs) in coastal and marine environs reflects the seriousness of this pollutant category. Diverse litter studies on Colombia's Central Caribbean Coast have not presented detailed study of MPs' typology, magnitude or distribution. This baseline study presents for first time the MPs problem on 23 beaches in 75 km coastal reach between Punta Roca and Galerazamba, on the central Colombian Caribbean Coast. The Microplastics Pollution Index (MPPI) and Coefficient of Microplastic Impact (CMPI) were developed and applied along with the Environmental Status Index (ESI) and their integration through sector analysis, and mapping using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering and Multidimensional Scaling, and Principal Components Analysis. Microplastics abundances (densities) ranged from 2457 to 557 MPs/kg, similar to other global beaches and bays. The MPs Index for the 23 beaches classified 8 beaches as “Moderate,” 10 beaches as “High” and 5 as “Very High.” Microplastic fibers were the dominant typology at 83% of the combined beaches total (ranging from Moderate to Very High for individual beaches).

Was carried out a review of several management approaches suitable for coastal landscapes. Various reasons why the coastal landscape should be managed are presented, including the tremendous anthropogenic influence, the importance of quality landscape to the public, increasing knowledge on landscape leading to enhanced possibilities for more effective management, the growing availability of landscape-related data and the importance of wise management.

Coastal tourism includes those recreational activities which involve travel away from one’s place of residence which has as their host or focus the coastal zone. This industry necessarily depends on the coastal environment to attract tourists. Excellant scenery is maybe the prime factor considered by a potential tourist when is time to choose a coastal vacation destination. Coastal scenery management, a controlled tourism growth, an enhancing of the product, the constant upgrading of the quality of offer and service, as well a diversified clientele, can be considered as critical points for an ideal tourism development that will satisfy both visitors and those whose livelihood depends on it.

This study provides an assessment of erosion hazard on the Maltese coast via application of the Coastal Hazard Wheel, a tool that also facilitated analysis of a number of other inherent coastal hazards including ecosystem disruption, gradual inundation, salt water intrusion, and flooding. The CHW characterises the coastal environment by considering geological layout, wave exposure, tidal range, flora and fauna, sediment balance and storm climate. Application of the CHW identified coastal erosion to present a high to very high influence on the Maltese coastline, with 45.7% of the coast exhibiting a low level of erosion hazard, 12.1% a moderate level, 12.6% a high level and 18.4%, a very high level of erosion hazard. Application of the CHW suggested somewhat higher erosion hazard levels than prior studies using different methodologies; it also confirmed the ease of application of this climate change sensitive coastal hazard identification tool. Management considerations identified a wide range of options the applicability of which is highly dependent on specific coastal configuration and that characterisation of the latter is crucial to allow appropriate management. The study generated management-useful maps describing coastal susceptibility to various hazards and hazard levels. It further provided a description of the entire Maltese coast in terms of ten different coastal configurations that infer management considerations of six coastal characteristics and five hazards. The study outputs are presented as a contribution to more effective management and decision-making by civil protection and planning agencies and as a key first step in the risk analysis process., peer-reviewed

7 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, supplemental material https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2016.11.005, In recent years, negative impacts of jellyfish blooms (JB) on marine human activities have been increasingly reported. Aquaculture has been affected by jellyfish outbreaks, mostly documented through repeated episodes of farmed salmon mortalities in Northern Europe; however, the valuation of JB consequences on the aquaculture sector still remains poorly quantified. This study aims to provide the first quantitative evaluation effects of JB on finfish aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea and to investigate the general awareness of JB impacts among Mediterranean aquaculture professional workers. The aquaculture workers' perception about JB was assessed through a structured interview-based survey administered across 21 aquaculture facilities in central and western Mediterranean. The workers' awareness about JB impacts on aquaculture differed among countries. Italian and Spanish fish farmers were better informed about jellyfish proliferations and, together with Tunisian farmers, they all recognized the wide potential consequences of JB on sea bream and sea bass aquaculture. On the contrary, the majority of Maltese respondents considered JB as a non-significant threat to their activity, mostly based on off-shore tuna farming. This study for the first time shows that JB may negatively affect different Mediterranean aquaculture facilities from Tunisia (Sicily Channel) and Spain (Alboran Sea), by increasing farmed fish gill disorders and mortality, clogging net cages, or inflicting painful stings to field operators, with severe economic consequences. Available knowledge calls for the development of coordinated preventive plans, adaptation policies, and mitigation countermeasures across European countries in order to address the JB phenomenon and its impacts on coastal water activities, This work has received funding from the European Union's projects MED-JELLYRISK (grant n. I-A/1.3/098 - ENPI CBCMED programme), VECTORS (Vectors of Change in Oceans and Seas Marine Life, Impact on Economic Sectors, grant n. 266445, FP7th programme), and CERES (Climate Change and European Aquatic Resources, grant n. 678193, Horizon 2020 programme)

We present the first detailed survey of tidal notches in the central Mediterranean area, in particular along the coastline of Gozo and Comino (Malta). The Maltese Islands represent one of the few sites in the Sicily Channel which exhibits coastal carbonate rocks. Marine notches on the islands of Gozo and Comino were surveyed by means of a seven day continuous snorkeling survey around the entire perimeter of the two islands. We surveyed the occurrence, lack and typology of marine notches and we correlated them with late Holocene sea level changes. Sea temperature (T) and electrical conductivity (EC) were collected along the route in order to locate the submarine springs and to relate them to the surveyed notches.A well-carved continuous roof notch was discovered along most of the plunging cliffs. It is well-carved out, in particular along the northern and western coast of Gozo. It develops from about 0.2 m above the mean sea level down and it can be up to 1.5–2 m deep. On the contrary, tidal notches are localised only in 8 sites. In 2 sites, Vermetid trottoirs develop at low tide level. In addition, at about −7 m to −10 m m.s.l., a 2–5 m wide marine terrace develops along extensive tracts of plunging cliffs, always in correspondence with the roof notches. This submerged terrace seem to be the result of the late Holocene slowdown of the sea level rise, which started to smooth the terrace and to carve out the submerged part of the roof notch, thanks to the exposed location of the islands and the favourable lithology.Through the collection of hydrological data, the presence of 21 submarine springs were detected. They occur mainly in the south-western coast of Gozo and on eastern coast of Comino. Anyway, marine notches seem not to be related to the freshwater outflow, such as those in the Adriatic Sea, because the studied islands are very exposed. As a consequence, along the Maltese islands bioerosion seems to be the most effective process in notch development., peer-reviewed

The 1101 km length of the Andalusian coast (Spain) was assessed for coastal scenery at 45 specific locations. Selected areas covered resort (3), urban (19), village (8), rural (10) and remote (5) bathing areas. Scenery was analyzed for physical and human parameters via 26 selected parameters. These parameters were obtained by interviews of 4500 people on European beaches. Each parameter was assessed via a one-to-five-point attribute scale, which essentially ranged from presence/absence or poor quality (1), to excellent/outstanding (5). Results were subsequently weighted by interviewing 4600 bathing area users (not all 26 parameters have equal weight) and subjected to fuzzy logic mathematics in order to reduce recorder subjectivity. High weighted averages for attributes 4 and 5 (excellent/outstanding) reflected high scenic quality, vice versa for attributes 1 and 2. Sites were classified into five classes ranging from Class 1 sites having top grade scenery to Class 5, poor scenery. Seven sites each were found in Classes 1 and 2; 10 sites each in Classes 3 and 5; 11 sites in Class 4. The finest coastal scenery was found in remote areas whilst urban areas scored mainly as Class 3 or 4. Three out of the ten rural sites had Class 3 and 4 values assigned them whereas the rest scored as Class 1 and 2; village sites invariably had scores within Class 3 and 4. Of the three resort sites investigated, one scored as a Class 1 site, the others as Class 3.

MICALLEF, A., WILLIAMS, A.T and GALLEGO FERNANDEZ, J.B., 2011. Bathing Area Quality and Landscape Evaluation on the Mediterranean Coast of Andalucia, Spain. In: Micallef, A. (ed.), MCRR3-2010 Conference Proceedings, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 61, pp. 87–95. Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, ISSN 0749-0208. Beach quality was evaluated at 27 sites along the Mediterranean shore of the Andalucian coast (Spain). Beaches surveyed were identified as resort (Williams, Micallef, Anfuso & Gallego-Fernandez), urban (Van Maele, Pond, Williams, Dubsky, 2000), village (Williams & Micallef, 2009), rural (Van Maele et al.) and remote (Simm, Beach & John, 1995) bathing areas. Beach quality was evaluated via the BARE (Bathing Area Registration & Evaluation) technique that rates five beach-relevant parameters (safety, water quality, facilities, scenery and litter) and subsequently classifies beach quality based on parameter rating results. Both parameter rating and beach quality classification processe...

Twenty-six parameters have been selected that delineate coastal scenery. These were obtained via consultation between coastal users and experts in the field. The parameters were assessed as to their priorities and weightings given. Application of fuzzy logic techniques enabled a decision parameter (D) to be calculated for any coastal scene. Over 100 worldwide coastal sites were analysed via the technique and a five-class differentiation obtained from D values.

Coastal scenery evaluated by utilization of selected landscape components was subjected to a fuzzy logic systems approach. Twenty-six top-rated parameters were identified from a literature search/questionnaire surveys carried out in Malta, Turkey and the UK and coastal scenery investigated at 57 sites. A coastal scenic evaluation checklist system was finalized and consisted of assessment parameters based on a five-point scale ranging from low to high attribute values. Coastal user parameter preferences and priorities for these parameters were obtained by a questionnaire perception study (n=270) given to both locals and visitors. Assessment parameter weights were calculated from this public perception survey via matrices relating to the selected landscape components. For each of the 26 parameters, a membership-graded matrix was established to counteract potential errors in assigning grades to the parameters when one has to give a unique number to the attribute value. To overcome subjectivity and quantify uncertainty, fuzzy logic mathematical methodology was adopted to this checklist approach. This enabled an Evaluation Index (D) value to be calculated, establishing a 5-class evaluation system. Class 1 scenery (extremely attractive natural site) had D values > 0.85; Class 2, between 0.85 and 0.65; Class 3, between 0.65 and 0.4; Class 4, between 0.4 and zero; Class 5 (very unattractive, intensively developed urban) below zero.

Beach classification has been presented as an extremely effective management tool, not only allowing a better-informed option to potential beach users, but moreover presenting a technique for assessing the aspects which require upgrading in order to further improve this recreational product's quality. This document reviewed current beach classification systems and thus identified a general absence of information in methodologies, taking into consideration a knowledgeable awareness of an extensive and wide-ranging spectrum of bathing area aspects with a recognized importance to a broad beach-user audience. In this context, a novel beach classification system has been proposed. This innovative system is based on five separate rating schemes addressing, in order of priority, safety aspects, water quality, facilities, hinterland and litter. The proposed technique proposes a Beach Registration technique for collection of bathing-area-related data, that may be subsequently utilized for classification purposes. Application of this technique is presented as a case study of four bathing areas in the Maltese Islands.

By virtue of their high potential for recreation for both local and overseas tourism, bathing areas represent valuable national resources requiring effective management. Increased leisure time enhances the desirability of such recreational areas and increased public awareness of health and safety issues, raises expectations of quality and desire of choice, thereby raising the need for an effective bathing area classification scheme. To date, most approaches consider single or a limited number of issues such as safety or health and fail to address the variety of bathing area types represented in the field, not least by their ubiquitous reference to beaches, rather than an all encompassing ‘bathing area’. In this pilot study, a novel bathing area classification scheme that considered safety, water quality, facilities, scenery and litter was applied to recreational areas on the Croatian Dalmatian coast with the purpose of presenting this new technique to a wider audience, demonstrating method applic...

With increasing leisure time and opportunity and raised quality expectations, beach and bathing-related recreational management has become an increasingly important component of Integrated Coastal Area Management. Unfortunately, scientific literature appears to have allocated scant regard to such management needs and rarely in a comprehensive manner. Considerations of strategic management were reviewed and four key components identified relevant to beach and shoreline management. These were, analysis, planning, management and monitoring. In this context, dimensional analysis, comprising of five main aspects (substantive, spatial, temporal, quantitative and qualitative) was discussed in detail and presented as a management tool allowing improved definition of scale and scope of bathing environment-related problems, a clearer assessment of beach characteristics influenced by natural coastal dynamics and anthropogenic use and formulation of effective management strategy. The outcome from the development of management tools specifically addressing beach and bathing area needs are manifold, as they provide an opportunity to positively influence a plethora of social, economic and ecological issues at the coast (e.g. recreation, shoreline defence, wildlife habitats, data collection, conflict resolution, local community involvement and planning for sustainable development).

Originally developed within the Mediterranean, a tested coastal management and planning tool was applied outside the region to evaluate its international scope, with particular reference to a less developed country. Seven coastal sites in Pakistan were investigated for their scenic values through a 26 item checklist grouped as physical and human parameters analysed though weighted parameters and fuzzy logic matrices. With respect to a five-class evaluation system, results indicated: Jiwani, Miani Hor and Pasni-Astola Island as extremely attractive natural sites with very high landscape value (classified as Class 1 sites); Mubarak village as an attractive natural site with high landscape value (classified as a Class 2 site); Kaka pir village, Harjana village and Keti Bandar as having little outstanding landscape features or with urban environment and classified as Class 3 sites. Rural and/or urban environmental influences were observed to be critical factors which influenced major human parameters that ultimately affect sites’ scenic classification. However, notwithstanding natural attraction, unless political and social development barriers are tackled in conjunction with recognising areas that possess inherent tourism potential, economic potential is unlikely to be realised., peer-reviewed

In this Special Feature, resulting from a MEDCOAST conference held in Hammamet, Tunisia, some papers are presented on ecological and biological research related to integrated coastal zone management. All over Europe coastal environments are threatened by human activities such as urbanization, industrial development, fisheries, aquaculture, recreation and tourism. Research has to be developed that can be applied to similar case studies in different countries. Methods of monitoring are necessary and baseline data have to be available in order to judge the significance of changes in the abiotic and biotic environment. Examples of studies included in this Special Feature are mainly from southern banks of the Mediterranean Sea but there is also an example from Estonia and one from the Canary Islands., peer-reviewed

Questionnaire surveys were carried out in Wales, Malta and Turkey to establish the preferences of north European beach users for thermal sensation and bathing water temperature, plus priority levels for other climatic attributes. A user-based beach climate index based on these preferences and priorities was formulated. Linkage was made between the user-generated ratings for various climatic conditions and published climate data to evaluate most major Euro-Mediterranean/Black Sea and a range of other beach tourism areas on a month-by-month basis. Results showed excessively hot thermal sensation in many southern and eastern Mediterranean coastal destinations during July and August, the present peak of the beach tourism season. Highest preference was given to water temperatures rather lower than those found in these areas during late summer. Many long haul coastal destinations popular with north European visitors had similar unpleasant thermal sensations over several months. Uncertainties and deficiencies still exist with the system, but from the point of view of north European beach users the final scores generated in this study may be regarded as good approximations of the quality of resort area climates for sedentary beach use., peer-reviewed